Warilla stretched their lead to 24-6 halfway through the second half, but the Magpies fought back, and two tries with just 10 minutes left in the game saw Berry in with a chance to equalise.

Unfortunately for Berry opportunities went begging and the Magpies moods at the full-time siren were just as chilly as the day’s cold-snap.

Warilla opened the scoring in the 10th minute after a an attempt to offload the ball by one of Berry’s young players found the hands of Warilla’s Nick Lazarevski, who found no opposition as he ran through for a try.

Lazarevski took the kick but was unsuccessful.

Two minutes later Berry made the score 6-4 after they were given a full set just off their try line courtesy of a Gorillas knock-on.

It only took them a couple of tackles before the ball was offloaded to Blake Harris-Davis, who crashed over the try line.

OFFLOAD: Berry Magpies five-eighth Josh Ingold looks for some support play during Saturday’s loss to Warilla-Lake South. Photo: GILLIAN LETT

Josh Ingold added the extra points.

In the 22nd minute Warilla were gaining momentum deep in Berry’s defence and a few quick passes to the right hand side of the field found Tyson Brown, who slid over the try line in the far right corner.

The conversion was unsuccessful to take the score to 8-6.

Warilla had not finished with Berry yet, and a try to Luke Watts and the conversion made by Lazarevski took the score to 14-6 at half-time.

Warilla again kicked off the scoring in the second half in the 48th minute.

Good lead-up work from the team saw Jarryd Pepper run through Berry’s defence to touch down under the post.

Lazarevski’s conversion was unsuccessful, score 18-6.

Another try followed in the 55th minute thanks to Warilla’s Blake Colgan, score 24-6.

Berry found their second wind in the 70th minute after a penalty gave the Magpies a fresh set 10 metres from their try line.

James Dinnie powered over the line and Josh Ingold’s successful conversion gave Berry hope with 24-12 on the board.

Within the next minute Berry had struck again when Harris-Davis made a break through, passed to Pat Watson, who was tackled.

The team recovered quickly and a pass found Nathan Benney, who charged over the try line.

With a 24-18 score line Berry were on the attack and pressure was building.

Consequently a nasty run-in with a Gorilla , Nathan Benney was sin binned for the rest of the game.

With just minutes left on the clock Berry had one last chance with a full set just outside Warilla’s try line.

On the fifth tackle, a chip kick by Jack McPherson found Warilla’s Watts and he took the try and the game out of the danger zone.

Best for Warilla were Joel Skeates, Damien Paulissen and Jesse Dee, whereas Berry’s Benney, Harris-Davis and Ingold never gave up.